Paul Haddad 
I go to an ophthalmologist for my annual eye check up. It’s a mix of having bad eyesight all my life and health insurance fully covering it. One benefit it’s probably the only waiting room I go to and get to feel like the youngest person there. 🤓
Dec 29 at 9:13pmWeb
Show threadPaul Haddad Dec 29
Though not sure it’s going to be worth the upcoming hours long eye dilation headache.
Show threadChristian TietzeDec 29
@paul eye dilation headache?
Show threadReinald FrelingDec 29
@ctietze @paul you put a special eye drop that dilates your pupils so the ophthalmologist can check your fundus (inside your eyeballs). The increase in light coming in due to pupil dilation usually gives you headaches.
Show threadChristian TietzeDec 29
@rfreling @paul ah, thanks -- last time I was there was for my first prescription glasses, and we didn't do anything like that back in the day :) Didn't know! Makes sense if you want to look inside with a flashlight though
Show threadAngus GibbinsDec 30

@ctietze @rfreling @paul it’s not a part of a standard eye check. I have to have mine dilated every few years because my optometrist found a bit of pigment right at the back of one eye and wants to make sure it’s not growing or changing (which is a sign it could be cancerous).

I got lucky though. There’s a dark alleyway cafe near my optometrist so I just hang there and drink coffee until it wears off.

Show threadCharlie StrossDec 29
@paul Sunglasses ought to mitigate that, somewhat? I find the real problem is being unable to do screen work or read for six hours afterwards—I go out of my skull from boredom.
Show threadPeter CohenDec 29

@paul My own eye doc added a machine a couple of years ago that does a thorough retinal exam without requiring dilation. It makes a huge difference for me. It isn't covered by insurance, but he charges a reasonable premium that I'm happy to pay.

(I'm at risk because of diabetes, so the dilation thing was an annual event for me)

Show threadJonathan PolleyDec 29
@flargh @paul Mine has the same thing. It takes a picture so you don’t have them looking through a lense and saying “keep your eye open. Don’t blink. Keep your eye open…”
Show threadPenguinDec 29
@paul As the others said, the machine that photographs your retina to avoid dilation is great but at my (advanced) age & having diabetes I get the machine & dilation just to be sure. No headaches but takes many hours for dilation to wear off 🙁
Show threadsanguishDec 29

@paul This is me going to the doctor who did my cataracts. 😛

Also my GP since he’s right beside a nursing home. 😂